symmetric key
nounverified· unreviewed·updated Aug 30, 2026
A cryptographic key that is used to perform both the cryptographic operation and its inverse, for example to encrypt and decrypt, or create a message authentication code and to verify the code.
polysemousMWENISTIR 7298: Glossary of Key Information Security Terms, Revision 2
Senses
SANS Glossary of Security Terms
A cryptographic key that is used in a symmetric cryptographic algorithm.
National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies (NICCS) Cybersecurity Lexiconextended definition available
A cryptographic key that is used to perform both the cryptographic operation and its inverse, for example to encrypt plaintext and decrypt ciphertext, or create a message authentication code and to verify the code.
NISTIR 7298: Glossary of Key Information Security Terms, Revision 2sense 2 pending review
A single cryptographic key that is used with a secret (symmetric) key algorithm.
Classifications
Entity Type
Credential0%rule-basedmulti_axis_classifier_low_confidence.v1
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Sensitivity
Restricted85%llm-generatedllm:claude-haiku-4-5
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Information Class
Cui78%llm-generatedllm:claude-haiku-4-5
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Variants
- plural
- symmetric keys
- possessive
- symmetric key's
- pluralpossessive
- symmetric keys'